EU Leaders Back Ukraine Before Trump-Putin Alaska Summit, Hungary Declines to Join Statement
Brussels, Aug 12 (TheTrendingPeople) – With just days to go before the high-profile summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, 26 leaders of the European Union issued a joint statement on Monday voicing strong support for Ukraine.
The declaration, drafted by European Council President Antonio Costa, underscored that a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine must safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. However, Hungary broke ranks, refusing to endorse the statement.
EU Leaders Stress ‘Borders Must Not Be Changed by Force’
In their statement, the EU leaders emphasized that borders cannot be altered through aggression, calling for any peace agreement to involve Ukraine directly.
“The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine,” the statement read. “Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.”
The leaders also welcomed Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s invasion and expressed readiness to support Ukraine with additional political, financial, and military aid. They stressed that security guarantees for Ukraine and its path toward EU membership are essential.
Over the past two days, Brussels has pushed for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be included in the Alaska talks, arguing that any settlement must also protect Europe’s security interests.
Hungary’s Dissent: Orban Calls Statement Premature
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain his decision not to back the joint statement, criticizing the EU’s exclusion from the upcoming summit.
“The statement attempts to set conditions for a meeting to which leaders of the EU were not invited. The only sensible action for EU leaders is to initiate an EU-Russia summit, based on the example of the US-Russia meeting. Let’s give peace a chance!” Orban posted.
Orban argued that setting terms for the Trump-Putin meeting, without direct EU participation, risked sidelining the bloc further.
Hungary Urges Diplomacy Over Military Confrontation
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reinforced Budapest’s position in a Facebook post, saying the conflict “should be resolved through diplomacy instead of military confrontation.”
He revealed he had recently spoken with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov about the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting, expressing hope it could serve as a turning point toward peace.
Why This Statement Matters
- Signal Ahead of a Major Summit: The unified EU position—minus Hungary—comes just four days before a summit that could influence the trajectory of the war in Ukraine.
- Tensions Within the EU: Hungary’s refusal highlights ongoing divisions in the bloc over how to engage with Russia.
- Geopolitical Stakes: By reaffirming Ukraine’s right to self-defense and its path to EU membership, the statement sets clear conditions for European backing of any peace framework.
Looking Ahead
The Trump-Putin summit in Alaska on August 15 is being closely watched by global powers. While Washington has signaled its intent to explore diplomatic solutions, Kyiv and its European allies remain cautious about concessions that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Whether the meeting will bring meaningful progress or deepen existing divisions remains uncertain, but the EU’s latest statement—and Hungary’s dissent—underscore the complex political landscape surrounding the war.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The EU’s show of solidarity for Ukraine, tempered by Hungary’s refusal, illustrates both the strength and fragility of European unity. As the Trump-Putin talks approach, the question remains: will diplomacy bridge the gap between war and peace, or will divergent national interests hinder a unified approach?